Home Page | Mid-Atlantic Pollution Prevention

Welcome to the
EPA Region 3
Pollution Prevention Website!

Image of Ben Franklin saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"

Ben Franklin was right - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

What is pollution prevention or P2?

P2 is not creating pollution in the first place. It is source reduction - reducing the amount and/or toxicity of waste (air emissions, liquid discharges, or solid or hazardous waste) at its source. P2 is not recycling unless the waste is put right back into the process. While recycling is better than just throwing something away, pollution prevention - not creating pollution in the first place is even better! If you are interested in waste minimization and/or solid waste recycling and reduction you may also want to visit the EPA Region 3 websites on these topics.

The waste management hierarchy, described in the 1990 Pollution Prevention Act, illustrates the proper order to follow when dealing with waste to achieve the least harmful environmental results:

Prevent as much waste as possible.
Recycle any waste that can't be prevented.
Treat any waste that can't be recycled.
Finally, dispose of any waste that can't be treated in an environmentally sound manner.

Waste Management Hierarchy - Source Reduction, Recycling, Treatment, then Disposal

The US EPA Region 3 Pollution Prevention Team deals with issues and topics including:

EMS - Environmental Management System
Green Buildings
H2E - Hospitals for a Healthy Environment
ISO 14000 - International Organization of Standardization 14000
Pollution Prevention Training
Pollution Prevention States Grants
Regional Roundtable Meeting

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